car-title tracking

Hello. I'm looking for information on how to look up the VIN number of a car someone's owned but no longer owns. I ask because my dad is going now, and he cannot remember anything about his past cars. Being a car person, I wish to try and get ahold of one (at least) of them, but to do so, I wish to know a bit more about the cars than just the model (I know the year of ONE...). As such, I thought about how to go about getting information, and came to the conclusion of VIN number..

but, does anyone else have any other ideas?
and if not, how might I go about finding the information?

[judg4]

That should be available with the DMV and the police depts still.

It is on every title document for each owner. And with the original dealer's records as well.

I'unno, I emailed the DMV last week and they forwarded it to the history or whatever department, then where would I ask the police?Please and thanks!